Heinrici, Hans-Joachim

Date of birth:: April 16th, 1918 (Charlottenburg/Brandenburg, Germany)
Date of death:: October 8th, 2011 (Hamburg/Lowersaxony, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Hans-Joachim Heinrici served with the Bundeswehr from 1956 until 1975. Her he finally reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Captain)
Unit:: Führer II. / Grenadier-Regiment 431
Awarded on:: February 14th, 1945

The following wartime article describes the Knight’s Cross action of Hauptmann Heinrici…

“Fighter of our Army — Broke the Russian encirclement ring with his Bataillon:

Hauptmann Heinrici, Bataillon commander of a Lower Saxonian Infanterie-Division, was pushed back by strong enemy forces during his Division’s advance towards the west (south of Liebstadt). He was unable to make contact with his Division. Oriented as to the situation via radio, he made the decision to break the Russian encirclement ring with his Bataillon and force a union with the Division.

A great example of bravery to his men, he led his Bataillon as a cohesive unit with all weapons and transportable wounded in a seven-day march through the enemy ring. He repeatedly attacked enemy units, smashed them and inflicted heavy losses. After reaching friendly lines the Bataillon was immediately deployed in the sector of an unfamiliar Division, where it distinguished itself brilliantly during four days of offensive and defensive actions under the command of Hauptmann Heinrici. His decisiveness and outstanding bravery meant that his Bataillon was able to force a decision even in the worst of combat situations and repel the Russian attacks.”